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What Causes Giant Platelets In An Adult?
Question: My 64 yr old mother was diagnosed with bladder cancer 5 years ago, had it removed, then had several sessions of bladder chemotherapy. All her previous cystoscopies have been negative. She also has a history of hemorrhoids that bleed a little every day, depression, and hypothyroidism. She has had chronic low iron levels and anemia for several years now and takes Vit D (only sometimes), vit b 12 (only sometimes- her latest level was normal) and iron. A new thing popped up in the most recent lab work: giant platelets. She has been referred to a hematologist, I am just wondering what the possibilities are, so we can mentally prepare.
Brief Answer:
Most likely and incidental finding!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this finding and all the worries this has caused you. Giant platelets in infancy suggest a congenital disease where platelets are defective and there would be bleeding disorders. In adults, this is rare and in most cases an incidental finding with no pathological significance.
For now, stay calm. if you have this full report, I will like to take a look and provide an independent second opinion. Giant platelets alone in an adult are really not an alarm for any well established disease condition.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Most likely and incidental finding!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this finding and all the worries this has caused you. Giant platelets in infancy suggest a congenital disease where platelets are defective and there would be bleeding disorders. In adults, this is rare and in most cases an incidental finding with no pathological significance.
For now, stay calm. if you have this full report, I will like to take a look and provide an independent second opinion. Giant platelets alone in an adult are really not an alarm for any well established disease condition.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is there a possibility of leukemia or a resurgence of the bladder cancer? The doctor they are sending her to is a leukemia specialist.
I also wonder if they would want to do a bone marrow aspiration, do you think that would be a good idea, because my mother is scared of that procedure.
I also wonder if they would want to do a bone marrow aspiration, do you think that would be a good idea, because my mother is scared of that procedure.
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be leukemia at this time!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is unlikely to be leukemia at this time. I think they want her to get a comprehensive evaluation from a specialist to be on a safe side and not because giant platelets are suggestive of leukemia. In patients with leukemia, this is not a typical finding. I suggest you stay calm and a few more tests would provide more guidance.
It is too early to do a bone marrow with no strong reasons to suspect a bone marrow disease. Also, this is not suggestive of her bladder cancer resurgence. Bladder cancer resurgence would have presented with bladder related symptoms such as blood, frequent urination, etc and not a giant platelet finding.
In all, it is early to say what the exact cause is at this time. However, there are very are disease conditions in adults that present like this and most of these findings are suggestive of incidental findings and not a true disease.
I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information if you need to
Unlikely to be leukemia at this time!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It is unlikely to be leukemia at this time. I think they want her to get a comprehensive evaluation from a specialist to be on a safe side and not because giant platelets are suggestive of leukemia. In patients with leukemia, this is not a typical finding. I suggest you stay calm and a few more tests would provide more guidance.
It is too early to do a bone marrow with no strong reasons to suspect a bone marrow disease. Also, this is not suggestive of her bladder cancer resurgence. Bladder cancer resurgence would have presented with bladder related symptoms such as blood, frequent urination, etc and not a giant platelet finding.
In all, it is early to say what the exact cause is at this time. However, there are very are disease conditions in adults that present like this and most of these findings are suggestive of incidental findings and not a true disease.
I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information if you need to
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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